Excuse me, take your hands off

Excuse me, take your hands off my money! It is a bad habit to dip your hand into other people’s piggy banks or savings to help yourself. Even if you are the govt, you have no damn right to do so. Tio boh? Even if you go to Parliament and vote to use my money, it is still ‘illegal’ and immoral. The Constitution, without even looking into it, must have provisions to protect the people from any one thinking he can help himself with the people’s private property, including money. And the savings of the people in the CPF, in the Medisave, belong to the people, the individuals who put them there as their savings for their retirement. Is there anyone with the audacity to decide how the money should be spent for the rightful owners?

Who is arrogant enough to think he can do what he likes with the people’s money without asking for their consent? This bad habit is now second nature, it seems. The Govt is now so bold as to think that it can suka suka take liberties of the people’s savings as if it is the owner of the money. How outrageous can it be?

Any constitutional lawyer or human rights lawyer could care to explain why this is so? Or does the whole legal profession believes or agrees that the Govt has all the right to do so and that is why no one is willing to stand up to be counted, to say otherwise? If that is the case, then I will take my words back and can understand why the Govt is doing so.

The Govt must know that it has the legal right to take the people’s savings to buy life insurance, medical insurance and even to keep it for the good of the people for as long as it deems fit. It must have been rightly advised that it can do so by the best legal minds in this island. Short of something similar to the Land Acquisition Act, the Govt’s action to use the people’s CPF savings is kinda like a de facto Savings Acquisition Act.

So silly of me. I shouldn’t have wasted my time writing this. If the legal profession does not think it as a wrong, no one in this city thinks it is wrong, then it must be right. I rest my case.

Excuse me, please do whatever you like with my savings, and feel free to do so anytime you feel convenient and the need to do so. You have the right to decide what to do with my savings and how to spend my savings for my own good.

Thank you very much. We are so bless with such a caring Govt.

How to conquer the world

Till the Second World War, the world or countries were conquered by the use of military might. It was all about superiority in technology and military weapons. Countries that were relatively small could conquer countries many times their size in land and people. All the European powers were small countries relative to Africa, the two Americas and even countries like India and China. But they ruled the world and built empires that lasted for several hundred years.

After the WW2, the two remaining superpowers of USSR and the USA attempted to continue to rule the world with military might. This time they were not so successful. The East European bloc under the USSR broke up with the breaking up of the Soviet Union. The Americans fought several wars in Asia and the Middle East and were defeated or unable to subdue the invaded countries. The Soviet Union left in defeat in Afghanistan, the Americans held on with some residual forces in Japan and South Korea but were bitterly thrashed in Vietnam, a poor and much smaller country. The Americans are still trying to rule the Middle East and northern African but finding it increasingly difficult as long as the people are willing to die fighting the Americans.

Unable to make further headways, the American’s are shifting their military targets into Asia hoping to fight another war using their allies as proxies. This new development is still work in progress starting with the American pivot and is doing fine with Japan, India, Vietnam and the Philippines happily on board in this bandwagon of war. The story is unfolding rapidly with tension rising and flashed points increasing.

There is yet another war going on quietly, to conquer the world. In this new warfare, it is not about military might and using extreme force and power. It is a sublime infiltration of people, through migration and population. This is a new war conducted by the poor nations, the so called Third World to occupy and conquer the rich and powerful First World, without firing a shot, and with the unannounced acquiescence and compliance of the First World countries. The migrants are invited to populate the rich countries and to eventually swarm and take over the countries by sheer numbers.

The remarkable thing about this new conquest of the world by the poor Third World and apparently helpless and less able people is that it is inevitable. The First World countries are not reproducing themselves and are inviting the Third World people to replace them, willingly though grudgingly and with certain amount of contempt. They, the First World countries, believe that they needed the numbers from the Third World to fill up the gaps and for economic growth, and nothing else. They did not count on the consequences in the long run when they become the minority or the sheer numbers and integration of the migrants would make the takeover of their countries unnoticeable and seamless.

A good example is Singapore, a small island with a small population that can easily be replaced by foreigners. And because of its unique multicultural history of migrants, the new migrants would become citizens and leaving no traces of the origins. And it is only a matter of time when the majority of the island will be new migrants. And the best part, the govt sees this as good, as a new formula to sustain economic growth and the viability of the city state. In one generation, the Singaporean core, the original Singaporeans from the year of Independence will become a minority in the island and in two generations they would probably be lost in a sea of new citizens and be extinct like the dodo birds or like many of the native flora and fauna in the island.

The Third World people will conquer the world and rule the New World without having to fight a world war. They are welcomed to take over by the more intelligent and more industrious First World inhabitants. Europe and the USA will go along in a matter of time, without knowing it.

Bringing Medishield Life down to earth

The madness of this Medishield Life has gone into everyone without any firm ideas being crystallised. At most the Medishield Life Scheme is just a red hot balloon floated in the air, an idea that has been thrown out in a rally but with no meat or bones in it. It has however, got many people thinking, excited, some scared to death and many people in delusion. Some even feel that their old age health problems are solved and there is no need to worry anymore. And there are those who are going to profit from it handsomely and smilingly quietly to themselves for the good fortune.

It is time to bring this hot balloon down to earth to make it real. Gan Kim Yong has said that there is nothing firm about this sketchy scheme and many hours of hard work will ensue to turn this into a reality, a practical solution to meet the expectations of all interested parties. The initial exuberance that such a scheme would cover all the medical needs of the oldies need to be toned down and the high expectations need to be doused with a pail of cold water. The cost of covering everything and every need of the oldies will make it near impossible to cover from the insurance point of view unless cost is not an issue. The premium is going to cost a bomb. It cannot be small and affordable for sure.

For practical and cost reasons, such an insurance coverage must be carefully defined. To be feasible from the insurer’s point of view and a reasonable premium to be paid, the insured must know that there is a price for everything. The people may want to demand that the Govt takes ownership of such a scheme and practise some filial piety towards the senior citizens of the country.

I hesitate to want to offer any free solutions for various reasons, ie not having a full appreciation of the complexity of such an issue, not having the resources and time to think deeply into the issue, and not wanting to insult the millionaire talents to think on their behalf, nor to offer stupid solutions as a layman. But there is no harm to make a few general suggestions that are obvious to many and not be accused of trying to be clever.

I would like to suggest that the Govt provide a first level of protection to all senior citizens either from 65 or 70 years onward comprising C class ward stay in govt hospitals and general geriatric care. Basically this scheme will pay for ward charges and basic medical care that are not prohibitive in cost. The scheme shall not cover any major and costly operations. The object of such a scheme is to provide some peace of mind to the poor oldies that they would be reasonably well taken care of in a hospital if admitted. The scheme shall not cover for expensive operations and treatments. This could be defined by the professionals. This scheme shall be provided free to the senior citizens and the scheme can be compulsory without frightening the people with unlimited premiums to pay.

A comprehensive coverage for all senior citizens cannot be extravagant and unlimited in nature.

On top of this basic coverage, the people could then be given a few enhanced medishield schemes that they are willing to pay for. These have to be voluntary and allowing the people to chose one within their means and expectation. Here the rich and those with the ability to pay can ask for the sky and demand for the best. This is like feasting in a restaurant, the economy class or high end restaurants with different price tags to suit the different aspirations and expectations. The Govt can offer the basic healthcare needs while the luxury part should be individualised and pay through the individual’s own pocket. The poor must not be made to pay for the rich and their high expectations. This is elementary.

Having two such schemes operating in parallel would not bust the Govt’s coffer or deplete the savings of the people in the Medisave. A comprehensive no limit coverage is definitely impractical and insane from the cost point of view. It will bankrupt every insured and also the insurers. To make such a scheme compulsory is unthinkable unless the Govt is footing the bill. To pass the bill to the insured is irresponsible.

Are we in the same boat?

My boat is a luxury cruise liner that can sail the high seas. And all the cabins are fitted up like a 5 star hotel room. And buffet is served round the clock for free. And if I am sick of the buffet spread, I can swagger into one of the fine dining restaurants to have the best of eastern or western cuisines. And if I am bored there are many entertainment outlets to amuse me to keep me happy or laughing the day and night away. And there will be plenty of waiters and waitresses running around to serve me with the snap of a finger. That is the boat I am travelling. Money is never an issue and in my boat, actually a huge ship, I can afford to pay for everything without a care. I just sign and sign away whatever that I want or amuses me.
 
Are you in the same boat? How many of you think you are in the same boat? How many of you are in a rickety sampan or a refurbished tongkang fitted with a 60 horsepower engine? How many of you are lucky enough to be in a small yacht or a two bedroom pleasure craft? How many of your boats can travel the high seas and visit all the best resorts in the world and be feasted every meal, without a worry or a care of where the next dollar is coming from?
 
Are we in the same boat? I will like to believe that we are in the same boat. Or even to dream, imagine or hallucinate, that we are in the same boat, living and enjoying life.

Health care – Please don’t help us

It has never failed. When the Govt said it is going to help you, be frighten, be very frighten. The Govt is going to help the people with a life time health care scheme. That is the good news. The bad news, you are going to pay for it dearly. It cannot be for free right? And there is no escape this time. It is going to be compulsory! Imagine the frustration over the years when Medishield cannot be made compulsory? Now with this ‘the Govt will help you Medishield Life’ it is now compulsory. And the premiums to pay for health care for life, I can’t imagine how much it is going to cost. The minister has said that it will be ‘affordable’, another very frightening word. We all know what affordable means to the average Sinkies and what affordable means to the rich and powerful. And the assurance that those who cannot afford to pay will be subsidized is not too much of an assurance either. How poor would one has to be before one is qualified for subsidies?
 
What are the statistics for Singaporeans to live to 70, 80, 90 and above 100? What kind of sicknesses were they hit and how big were the bills? At the moment the number for the oldies seeking major ops or expensive ageing related sicknesses could be relatively low. Many would rather die than to live on and on like the undead or vampires. The statistics would not be a true reflection of the reality as many could not afford to see the expensive treatments in the hospitals. But once there is such a medical coverage for life, many oldies will be demanding to want to be treated with no consideration to the prohibitive cost. It is free in a way with insurance coverage. Why not? How would this snow ball into an insatiable demand for more medical services?
 
When is the Govt going to accept that when one gets old, one must die? When is the Govt going to accept that many oldies cannot afford to grow old or did not want to grow old and live a life like walking corpses? There must be a clear definition of the kind of coverage under Medishield Life for the insurers to pay for, a ceiling on what is payable. It cannot be an open book and a blank cheque with the insurers footing every bill. If so, the cost would simply be passed down to the insured at great cost.
 
I hope the Govt would seriously reconsider this clever idea so that the people would have a choice to pay or not to pay. If it is so good, please make it optional and for all the rich to opt for it and for those who have reasons to want to live forever to pay for it themselves. Do not pass the financial burden to the innocent and the young and the majority that do not want it nor would appreciate it. Do not prevent people from dying. Dying naturally is a privilege, a blessing, and a right of being a human. Many would love to end their pathetic lives on earth soonest, the earlier the better. It is not a luxury to live a long life when one does not even have enough to eat. Prolonging life unnaturally is only a luxury for the rich.
 
Please think carefully. Please think of what the ignoramus are asking for. It may be true that some are asking for life long medical coverage. I bet this is a minority who did not know what they are asking for. We need wisdom in this issue of life and death. It is not simply about living and about the ability to pay, through a compulsory medical insurance scheme. It is geriatric care that is needed more.
 
This Medishield Life Scheme could be a very cruel scheme to many who did not ask for it. For those who cannot afford to live a life with simple human comfort, prolonging their lives is like making them a prisoner in a sick and dilapidated ageing body. Please, don’t help the people to extend their misery and pain on earth, and to empty their savings for it. They need their savings for the simple three meals. Don’t take that away. They don’t have millions in their bank accounts to feel happy and to want to continue living. They don’t need a heart bypass or chemotherapy or a pace maker or whatever machine to replace their failing organs.
 
Remember, when one passes 70 expect to die and prepare to die. That is the normal and natural thing to do. Do not prepare and expect to live another 100 years. It is a blessing to die naturally while one is still reasonably healthy than when one is bedridden and need someone to scrub your back. You simply stink and rot while still alive. And without the money you are dependent on other people’s charity and kindness to clean you and feed you. It is not filial piety to hang on to a life and to keep a dysfunctional body alive. Paying to keep a body alive but not working is an unkind act. There is a time to let go.
 
PS. When the Medishield Life scheme is extended to 92, it means you will have to continue to pay till 92. If it is extended forever, you pay forever. Tio boh?